Apparatus for converting vibratory motion into rotary motion



* Feb. 1, 1927.

H. L. STRlNGER APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING VIBRATORY MOTION INTO ROTARY MOTION Filed Nov. 14. 1922 Irizien tor flubertaCSt/jnyer e By hi9 flitorneys. I

Patented Feb. 1, 1927.

UNITED HUBERT LESLIE STRINGER, or EOCKBEARE HILL, NEAR EXETER, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING VIBRATORY MOTION inroinoranrliv'rorron. I

Application filed November 14., 1922, Serial No. (in-0,939.2. in Great Britain December 8, 1921.

This invention relates to apparatus for converting vibratory motion into rotary motion and is particularly useful for the conversion of small and irregular vibrations such as are produced on or by vehicles.

Many attempts have been made to utilize the vibrations of vehicles, generally for the purpose of actuating moving advertisements, but none of the means hitherto employed for converting the vibratory motion into rotary motion has proved entirely satisfactory in practice. This is probably because the small and irregular vibrations require a more delicate form of ratchet than is generally employed.

According to this invention I employ the usual arrangement of a weight mounted on a spring in such a way that it will readily vibrate backwards and forwards in one line, I place the pulley which is to be rotated in this line, and a fix a thread to the weight pass it over the pulley, and attach it to a light spring. As the weight vibrates it alternately applies and removes the tension on one end of the thread while the spring produces a small but continuous tension on the other end. Consequently as the weight approaches the pulley there is a tension on one end only and the thread slides easily over the pulley, but as the weight recedes from the pulley there is a tension on both ends and the thread grips the pulley and turns it.

Two or more weights with their threads passing over the same pulley or over separate pulleys on the same shaft may be employed, and such weights are preferably arranged so that their lines of vibration are equally spaced around the pulley. Whenever the number of weights issmall, and particularly when only one weight is employed, it is desirable to provide a device for preventing the rotation of the pulley in the wrong direction, as otherwise the thread might have suflicient friction to turn a light pulley instead of sliding over it on the approach of the weight towards the pulley. This device is conveniently a thread passing over the pulley and fixed at one end to the rigid frame and at the other to a light spring, so that the pulley turns easily in the direction which tightens the spring and removes the tension at the other end of the thread, but is prevented from turning in the other direction because the thread having a tension at each end grips the pulley.

In the drawings illustrating my invention,

sion and. is fixed by the foot 71. in the box 01.

The thread i is attached at one end to the box cl, passes once around the pulley f, and, is attached at the other end to the fiat spring j, which is fixed by the foot in the box' cl. The threads 6 and 71 preferably lie inseparate grooves 011 the pulley f, and the thread (2 may also lie in a groove on the weight a.

The pulley 7 will then have a rotary mo-.

tion in the clockwise direction when the whole box is subjected to vibration, as for,

example when mounted in a vehicle, or even in a shop window past which heavy trafiic is passing.

The word thread is not intended to limit the material, but only to indicate the prea ployed, and the drawing is only intended to show the preferred form of the device. For example the thread i, instead of being attached to the box, may be attached to another weight mounted on a spring and vibrating in a line at rlght angles to that'of the weight a, and either or both of the threads may be in contact with the pulley over any other angle, instead of over 860 as shown. WVhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. An apparatus for-converting vibratory ferred size and shape of the flexible cord emmotion into rotary motion comprising av support, spring members secured to said support and extending longitudinally therefrom in parallel relation, a weighted vibratory member secured to the free end of one spring member, a circular member rotatably mounted between said spring members, and a thread surrounding said circular member and having its ends extending oppositely in a line tangential to the periphery of said circular member and secured respectively to said Weighted member and to the free end of the other spring member.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, and a second thread surrounding said circular member and secured at one end to said support and elastically tensioned at its other end.

3. An apparatus for converting Vibratory motion into rotary motion, comprising a support, a member rotatably mounted in said support a Weighted member spring-mounted in said support, a thread engaging said rotatable member and attached at one end to said Weighted member and tensioned at its other end, and a second thread engaging 10 said rotatable member and anchored at one end to said support and elastically tensioned at its other end.-

In witness whereof I afiix my signature.

HUBERT LESLIE STRI NGER. 

